Vegan Foodie Review: The Fussy Vegan

Vegans love food! Trust me, I’m happily obsessed with eating and love being a vegan foodie. Especially because of the sad reputation that vegans only eat avocado on toast or lettuce. AND where do we get our protein from. That’s for another blog. Today, I’m thrilled to be doing my first vegan foodie blog of one of my fave spot in Johannesburg – The Fussy Vegan!

Kimchi burger with a side of mac and cheese

Word on the street spread quickly about the small “grab and go” vegan restaurant. My first question about restaurants in Joburg is, are they really vegan or do they have one option and call themselves vegan friendly? Also, why are they vegan? This seems like a silly question, but people choose veganism for different reason and there are also different kinds of vegans. Some people, including me, don’t like to call themselves vegan, mainly because it can be an equally unhealthy lifestyle as a meat eater, with a bit less damage to the planet, but as much damage to our bodies. When I talk vegan, I’m wanting two things. Plant based lifestyle and an overall awareness that the planet needs our attention. That’s why I chose this lifestyle. I had one to many people deal with cancer, I have weight issues and I’m a total tree hugger. Those three reasons are the calling for a plant based lifestyle. Don’t get me wrong, there is something that has settled my soul in not eating animals, but it wasn’t the reason I chose the lifestyle.

The Fussy Vegan ticks all the ethics, lifestyle and taste tantalising boxes for me. I could hardly believe it was a tiny shop on Jan Smuts Avenue and everyone who knows it calls it the spot at the vegan Caltex garage.

For the busy vegan, The Fussy Vegan food on the run

I’m always amazed at the flow of people who walk in, grab a sandwich and go. It might seem like the norm, but it’s impossible for a healthy or plant based vegan to stroll into a supermarket or convenience store and find anything healthy or nutritious to eat. It’s no one’s fault and yes, we do make thee life choice. That’s why I’m very happy to plan my day and drive the 18 minute it takes to get to The Fussy Vegan, knowing my day will be on the run and my food needs to be the same. From the pulled mushroom to the tofu mayo and BLT, the tastes and textures of the sandwiches are amazing. Can we talk about the bread for a moment. You can taste the healthiness and you know there’s nothing but goodness in it.

Although the shop is small, there are a few cosy seats inside and a lovely outside area. The sit down (or take it away) menu has the most amazing variety and my trick is to take either a friend or family member to double up and taste as many things as possible with. I’m not one to crave the taste of anything meaty, but I also didn’t give it up because I couldn’t stand the taste. That being said, if it’s going to be a steak and cheese sandwich or a hearty burger, then it must smack of something meaty and WOW, do they get that so right. The menu includes a great mac ‘n cheese, as well as outstanding burritos.

Let’s talk price, because there’s a misconception that the vegan lifestyle is so expensive. This is where you can divide the restaurant owners and vegan food suppliers into those who are passionate about it and those who think we will pay any price for a meal. We won’t! Well, I certainly won’t. This place is really well priced, with a sandwich at around R30 and a hugely delicious burger for around R75.

Being plant based, but still loving that piece of cake or breakfast croissant makes this spot heavenly. I’m also conscious of my sugar intake and really try be as clean eating as possible. Their cake and dessert options have those options and it’s great. The thing about going greens and beans is the delusion that you’ll never have another piece of cake again, and if you do it will taste like cardboard with a blob of coconut cream. Do yourself a favour and take a non vegan friend with you, because between the black forest cake, ‘milk’tart, croissants and cupcakes you’ll be happily and pleasantly surprise.

To put the cherry on the vegan cake, The Fussy Vegan is planet conscious and nature loving on every level, from the biodegradable take-away containers to the products sold and of course … there are NO harmful straws to be seen, so they definitely don’t suck!

Pop in a few times and you’re a regular. The team are amazingly friendly and from the heart you can feel their passion for being vegan and serving their ever growing community.

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